The Walt Disney Company’s feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a story that we’ll likely be telling in the years to come, as a completely unexpected moment in history when a large corporation took on the governor of a state in a lawsuit that alleged the violation of free speech. What began as a disagreement when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has certainly turned into a lot more than that, with the Florida Governor using his fight with Disney as fodder for his presidential campaign, and the once special Reedy Creek Improvement District board being replaced by DeSantis appointees.
DeSantis’s Campaign Against Disney
Last week, during a New Hampshire town hall, Governor DeSantis said, “We’ve put this company on a pedestal — in the past, it has been like the all-American company…But they’ve really embraced the idea of getting the sexualized content in the programming for the young kids. And that is just a line I am not willing to cross.”
It’s a claim he’s also repeated in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Iowa rallies. And while many have been mocking and making fun of Governor DeSantis, clearly taking Disney’s side in this feud, the damage that it has ended up causing might cost them a hefty campaign (and a pretty penny) to reverse it. Not only this but if DeSantis plans to use Disney for the entirety of his presidential campaign—which he will in all likelihood—this could drag on for a year.
As Papa News 24 reported,
That is an eternity for Disney, which has zealously tried for 100 years to avoid political and cultural pitfalls for fear of tarnishing its happily-ever-after brand. At least in theory, Disney’s family-friendly movies, TV shows and theme park rides are aimed at everyone. The last thing it wants is for Mickey Mouse to get dragged through the presidential campaign mud.
Disney is Suffering More Than It Wants to Admit
While DeSantis’s campaign features him bragging about how he upstaged Disney in the “Don’t Say Gay” debacle, the Mouse House’s brand remains strong. Recently, Disney was even voted one of the most patriotic brands in America. However, Disney is not out of the woods yet, because the cracks in their foundation are showing, and how.
Not only are major layoffs a sign of trouble brewing, but some of the most prominent chief executives have also all jumped ship or been fired; the Marvel Chairman, the CFO Christine McCarthy, and the chief diversity officer, Latondra Newton.
In addition to this, Disney’s stock is suffering, and they have been faced with multiple box office failures as well as lower numbers on its streaming platforms, with Disney+ losing millions of subscribers.
Disney has certainly fired its shots, what with canceling its Lake Nona campus move and demonstrating a good relationship with California governor Gavin Newsom. Still, the fight rages on, and the court battle will likely play out over years, despite Governor DeSantis’s move to dismiss the lawsuit.
The Mouse House is caught in the political crossfire as this goes on. With Disney’s current worries, the feud could end up having a far bigger impact on its legacy than we realize at this moment, especially when it will have to spend years fixing its reputation and fighting the legal battle in court.
